Tag Archives: God

Educating for the Lived Gospel #104

The Lord says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” (Is 49:16)

Mistakenly, people categorise the Old Testament as portraying a God of vengeance. Clearly, this passage portrays a God who cares about each person intimately. This is not a distant God, nor a judging God, but a God of love – who loves each of us in a deeply personal way. A God who is fittingly called abba – not ‘father’, so much as ‘daddy’. Our own self-doubts prevent us from fully perceiving this about God. ‘God is love’ – but not for me. We cannot earn God’s love – it is gift, freely and lavishly given! Operating out of our limitations, we can create a God made in our image, a God of fear and judgment; then do greater damage by foisting that on others.
Young people are finding their way – thirsting for meaning. They can search for it in unhelpful places – some are hedonistic places, others can be places that numb their existential ache. It seems to me that if they could more fully grasp the intimate love that their creator has for them, as the quote suggests, this would be a great benefit to them. Our task is to be God’s heart and hands, showing God’s love for them as best we can.
Have a great week!
Patrick

 

Joy

Untimely darkness

Leaden skies

Pouring rain

 

Adults and teenagers

Umbrellas up

Duck and weave

Through the downpour

 

Along comes a grim-faced mother

Holding the hand

Of a drenched six year old

Who yells with joy

and delight

At being in the rain

 

Such unbridled joy

Embracing life

Makes me grin

And emphasises

Chardhin’s point

“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God”

Educating for the Lived Gospel #99

G’day! After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to strike out in a new direction with the reflections, by reflecting upon pieces of scripture – though always with a Lasallian and Franciscan ‘flavour’. I hope that you find something in them for you!

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)

Such a passage makes me wonder: What does it mean to live life abundantly? What do I need to do to live up to this passage? “Living life to the full” can be an excuse for hedonism. However, this full life is connected to Jesus who is the one speaking in this passage. Think about how Jesus lived his life…selflessly, literally poured out for others. So, I think living life to the full has more to do with making the most of my talents, my opportunities and my relationships. It is my firm belief that a full life is one that is lived for others – one that embraces the Franciscan wisdom of “it is giving that we receive”. A full life is also lived by the Lasallian wisdom of touching hearts – focussing on our relationships. I also believe that a full life entails celebrating the small things that are easily ignored – a flower, a smile, any baby.

It is easy for young people to be seduced into thinking that a full life is centred on “me”. Rather, it is our task to guide them into seeing that the full life is truly centred on “we” – develop and use my talents, so that I can build my community. When we all act in that manner, we might glimpse a Pentecost moment!

Have a great week…and term!

Patrick

 

Whales at Warrnambool

I am awestruck by

This majestic scene

Giant sets of waves

Creating and crashing into the beach

 

The fierce off-shore wind

Makes them perfect for surfing

So my mate tells me

 

But the same wind ensures that

Their tops are blown off

Making mini rainbows

In the brilliant sun

Framed by the bright blue winter sky

 

Somewhat hidden

In the lull between waves

Are some whales

Which can be seen by their occasional spout

 

These large, warm-blooded creatures

Have crossed the vast cold ocean

To this ‘nursery’

To loll and sway in the surf

Off the coast of Warrnambool

Protected by their mother

 

A hardy crew

Of well-rugged-up individuals

Watch this extraordinary tableau

With varying degrees of attention

 

Days later

I am still struck

At this confluence of natural

And ancient energies

 

How appropriate at a place

Named by our ancient people

Glimpse of the glory

 

The world is a big place

Its sheer size

Is testament to God’s grandeur

But it’s more than that.

 

Our tiny brains

Occasionally glimpse God’s work

Where we live

But travel opens our eyes

To the size, complexity and subtlety

Of God’s canvas.

We catch a glimpse

Of the Artist at work

What Merton refers to

As the ‘cosmic dance’.

 

As humans

We describe, ascribe and define

What we see

As if we can control it.

 

Out of our comfort zones

As we travel

We can delight

In the glory

Of the Artist’s creation.

 

Would that we keep that

In our hearts and souls

Always.

Educating for the Lived Gospel #98a

After I wrote this week’s reflection, I had the great good fortune to see the reality of life, love and hope coming through the cross in the person of 30 year old Melbourne woman, Michelle Newland. Her story is too good and too appropriate to this week’s quote not to share it with you. For the second year in a row, I’d invited Michelle to speak to our Year 11 girls as part of their reflection day.

Michelle Newland is a living miracle – and in her own way, an angel of the Lord. This is not just true because of her recovery after dying in her mother’s arms after an asthma attack at age 19. Nor is it true because she can walk and talk now rather than be in a vegetative state that the medical experts said would be her lot. Nor is it true just because of the wonderfully inspirational talks she gives – full of humour and determination. For me, Michelle is a living miracle primarily because of her extraordinary faith. As she said, “My faith is like oxygen to my brain…I can’t live without it”. As Christians, we proclaim that salvation goes through the cross. Michelle and her family have endured a type of crucifixion – yet are now exploring an extraordinary resurrection – full of life and love and hope. Truly a miracle for all who have been blessed to see and hear it. When someone like Michelle says “Never ever give up” – you take notice.

If you want to know more about her story, go to www.michellenewland.com

Peace and all good
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #97

May all the graces God gives us, no matter how remarkable they may be, incline us also to humble ourselves. John Baptist De La Salle

“My students consistently do well on tests”; “I had a student get a perfect subject score last year”; “My daughter was accepted into the Medicine course”; “My wife and I are travelling overseas next month”. These are all good things in themselves. The point is that each of these situations is a grace, a gift from God. Think of the Olympic gold medallist (in whatever discipline or sport) – they work, they train many long gruelling hours and richly deserve their accolades. How many competitors are there? How many suffer from illness, injury or some relational upset that prevents them from doing their best? Sport is littered with such stories. That is why the humble champion, like Roger Federer, rings true for many people.

Our message for young people? Discover your gifts. Be your best, but don’t get carried away on ego-fuelled flights of fancy. The expression ‘pride comes before a fall’ doesn’t strike us as true for no reason!

Have a great week!

Patrick